FIVE days on a bike, covering the 500-kilometer stretch from Muntinlupa to Camarines Sur, was not something I wanted to do for the love of the ride. For one, I’m no biker chick and I don’t relish being on the road in hot humid weather, weaving my way through nasty traffic, inhaling tons of polluted air or swerving frantically to avoid giant potholes.

Nor was I too focused on the cause or advocacy at the start. I confess that I joined the Tour of Hope (TOH) for cervical cancer awareness for rather selfish reasons. Coaxed into registering for the TOH by my fellow Polo Tri teammates, I figured it would be a fun way to improve my bike skills, build a stronger bike base and, at the very least, breathe the fresh country air. It would, for sure, be the longest time I had ever spent on the saddle and I wanted to see how far I could push myself.

What I hadn’t bargained for, however, was a five-day bike tour – the longest bike ride of my life – that would open my eyes to an advocacy that hopes to save lives. It turns out to be a lifelong mission among some of my fellow-bikers as well.

Before then, I hadn’t the faintest idea about cervical cancer or how real and menacing the disease is for women in the Philippines. I knew even less about the fact that this type of cancer, the second most deadly for Filipino women after breast cancer, can be prevented in its early stages by simply taking time to get vaccinated and having regular tests for the presence of the deadly Human Papillomavirus (HPV).

The experience was physically challenging and spiritually uplifting – listening and learning from fellow bikers, mostly women, from all walks of life who had themselves been cervical cancer survivors or family members of cancer victims. The male contingent consisted of passionate advocates for the cause, among them David Charlton of David’s Salon, who fielded the largest team of female bikers, doctors who deal with the disease first-hand, and local government officials. Some came with their hometown bikers clubs and rode with them to support the cause and to help push the women bikers literally through the more trying portions of the course.

Other women known to champion female issues who joined the tour were Senator Pia Cayetano, media personality Tessa Prieto-Valdes, triathlete Ani de Leon and extreme sports enthusiast Jeena Lopez.

The words we exchanged during the breaks and pit stops along the route offered not only information and perspectives on the disease, but glimpses of the personalities involved in the campaign and their reasons for being part of it.

Nina Dacanay, Human Resources Associate, JG Summit Holdings, Inc.,
Member, Team David’s Salon

The Tour of Hope is an annual focal project of Team David’s Salon and we have contributed to bringing the tour to the Philippines for the past two years. Because its objective is so aligned with the teams, as well as my own personal advocacy, it was a natural decision to help in the fund-raising and awareness-raising prior to the event and to take a few days’ off from work to contribute time to this worthwhile project. I can honestly say that it’s worth the experience. I’ve always believed it’s important to be informed and involved in health campaigns. It’s empowering, enlightening and gives one something to be passionate and driven about.

Joyette Jopson, Manager, TOH organizer

I’ve joined previous Tours of Hope. The first was in 2007, when we cycled from Singapore to Penang in 9 days; 2008 from Vigan to Olongapo in 5 days, the Chiang Mai to Bangkok tour in 14 days, and this year’s Alabang to Camarines Sur.
It’s a unique experience that combines things I am very passionate about – cycling, traveling, meeting new people, bonding with friends – all for a very good cause, that is promoting cervical cancer awareness and prevention. Each year I am inspired by the growing number of participants, the new places to see, and most especially the people we get to influence along the way, like the cervical cancer patients and survivors who are now involved in the cause. These are solid proof that what we are doing actually affects people.

Carmela Patricia V.F. Serina, Business Operations Manager, Hewlett-Packard Asia Pacific

My father passed away in 2002 because of cancer, so one of my advocacies is to fight this disease. I’ve promised myself to join cycling tours that would help raise awareness and funds for this cause. It was nice to meet fellow cyclists/triathletes who can merge their love for the sport with a worthwhile cause. It was also a great venue to see the countryside and enjoy the different scenery and terrain.

Rex M. Poblete, FPOGS, FPSUOG, Physician, Obstetrician-Gynecologist

As a practicing OB-GYN, I felt that it was my duty to join the tour. Doing my part for the prevention and treatment of cervical cancer as a biker-gynecologist was totally new to me. It’s not everyday that one gets to ride alongside Dr. Hans Buck, David Charlton, Tessa Prieto-Valdes, Leo Oracion, Ernie and Jeena Lopez, Alfie Catalan, and the rest of the 68 riders who contributed to this worthy advocacy. I know that the women who attended the lay forums would spread hope and help end cervical cancer in our country. Doing it for them with the help of my son Miguel made this endeavor one of my most memorable summers ever.

Debbie Yabut, Entrepreneur

I decided to join TOH when my friend Jeena Lopez told me about the cause. Never having done a multi-day ride before, it seemed like an immense challenge, but the change we would be making in people’s lives made it well worth the effort. I will definitely do this again next year. •

The Key to Surviving Cervical Cancer

SCREENING in the form of pap smears is important for early detection of cancer and precancerous changes in the cervix. Though the procedure has been around for the past 50 years, it has not caused a significant reduction in cervical cancer incidence in developing countries such as the Philippines, where 6,000 cases are diagnosed each year. With a survival rate of only 44 percent, more than half of cancer patients can die of the disease within five years.

Experts believe that screening together with vaccination will reduce the incidence of cervical cancer further, than with just screening alone. GlaxoSmithKline’s cervical cancer vaccine’s indication, as approved by the Bureau of Food and Drugs, is for females 10 years of age and above. It protects against the two most common cancer-causing HPV types, 16 and 18, which together are responsible for over 70 percent of cervical cancer cases in Asia Pacific.

It has also shown efficacy against persistent infection caused by 12 other cancer-causing HPV types beyond HPV 16 and 18. Clinical data also demonstrate that GSK’s cervical cancer vaccine provides this protection for at least six and a half years, the longest duration of protection reported to date. It is estimated that up to 80 percent of women will acquire a Human Papillomavirus infection in their lifetime.